“We tried to take as professional a course as we could during negotiations,” said Pavia, who spoke with ProElite about a deal for Vitale since June. In the end, the manager indicated the K-1/Strikeforce offer was more attractive for Vitale because the agreement yielded “more money and provides international exposure.”

Sherdog also stated that Vitale is expected to compete on either the K-1 Hero’s card on September 17th or the September 29th Strikeforce event at the Playboy Mansion.

Elite XC originally announced that Rua was off of the card after failing a physical given by the CSAC. However he was never denied a license to fight in the state and after some consideration, Garcia found that Rua would be able to compete after all.

Vitale will be paid by Elite XC for his troubles and even though he probably will not be fighting on this event, Elite XC agreed to sign him to a long-term deal.

Vitale will be taking on Rua’s original opponent, Joey Villasenor. However since Vitale is being placed on the card so late, the California State Athletic Commission has ruled that the bout will now be a non-title affair.

Vitale is currently sporting a 22-7 record and has gone 7-4 since leaving the UFC in 2003. He is 1-1 in 2007: Vitale lost a split decision to Jeremy Horn at IFL: Oakland in January and returned to the win column with a victory over Mavrick Harvey at an Extreme Wars Hawaii event in March.

UFC and PRIDE veteran Jeremy “Gumby” Horn will make his return to the ring after a short lived retirement. Earlier this year Horn suffered a KO loss to the hands of Matt Lindland and after the fight he stated that he’d be retiring and he’d consider his options in a year. Well folks, it looks like Mr. Horn had second thoughts about his decision…

Jeremy Horn will return to the ring when he faces UFC veteran Falaniko Vitale on the January 19th IFL card. The card was originally expected to be headlined by a bout between Ivan Salaverry and Eduardo Pamplona but with the UFC’s recent purchase of the WFA, Salaverry has been put in a situation where he will be required to fight for the UFC only.